Volunteers at foodbanks in Dorset have hit out saying we have 'failed as a society' as residents face 'shocking' poverty levels.

Demand for food assistance is rising at an extraordinary rate, the vital resources reveal as Bournemouth Foodbank reported an 80 per cent rise in people requiring emergency food.

The current situation, according to staff, is a failure of society and requires action.

Debbie Coombes, project director at Bournemouth Foodbank said: “Currently it's shocking the number we have coming to us.

"We are definitely not at the peak I think it’s going to get worse.

"It is such a complex issue and there is no quick fix.

"It’s very easy to point fingers at the Government, obviously they have a part to play, but society also need to look after the people who are at the bottom and have nothing."

UK inflation has hit a 40-year high of 9.4 per cent in June 2022.

Bournemouth Foodbank is currently supporting more than 350 people a week.

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Debbie added: "Food banks are for people in crisis, and we want to look after them as best as we can but at the moment the demand we are facing isn’t sustainable.

"Our problem is we can’t get the stock in so were having to buy it. When we are low, we go out and purchase food ourselves. We have spent over £20,000 now and as a small charity we won’t be able to continue like this."

Gill Payne, co-ordinator at Poole Foodbank said: "We are anticipating a further rise in numbers as autumn approaches which will be connected with the rise of utility bills and cost of living crisis. 

"Traditionally food banks are for people who have hit a crisis. But with the current cost of living issue, it’s not a crisis anymore it’s an ongoing problem.

"The Poole community is very supportive, so we have been able to keep up with demand however i do realise this does not reflect what is happening in the rest of the country.

"Our food is currently stored in a unit at the Dolphin centre, however our rent arrangments at the moment are not permanent which is worrying. We are hoping someone will be able to help us find somewhere low cost to relocate too."